The Akron Zips finished the 2013 season winning their last three games and four of their last five. For the first time in many seasons, the Blue and Gold have expectations to fulfill as they are picked to finish in the top half of the Mid-American Conference Eastern Division.
The Zips open their third season under head coach Terry Bowden Thursday night as they host the Howard Bison from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference at InfoCision Stadium
QB Kyle Pohl begins his second season as the Zips starting quarterback after completing 56 percent of his passes for 2,438 yards and 14 touchdowns to just 10 interceptions…RB Jawon Chisholm was slowed by injuries last season but still rushed for 869 yards and eight scores…WR ZACH Zach D'Orazio led the team with 42 catches for 567 yards…Defensively LB Jatavius Brown and Justin March will lead the defense. They combined for 187 total tackles a season ago
OVERVIEW: Akron won four of its last five games finishing with a 5-7 record - its best mark since 2008 (the final season at the Rubber Bowl)…Zips are picked to finished second in the Eastern Division in the preseason MAC poll…A lot hinges on the offense, UA has a strong defense and can compete with the best in the conference. However, the offense must be more consistent, especially in the passing game.
NOTES & QUOTES: This is UA’s 114th season of college football…theior 28th in the Football Bowl Subdivision and their sixth at InfoCision Stadium…This is the second lifetime meeting between the two schools. The other came in 2003 when UA routed the Bisons 65-7 at the Rubber Bowl…Zips are looking to win four straight games for the first time since they won five straight back in 2004…UA is 3-1 lifetime against the MEAC and 13-9-2 against the Football Championship Subdivision since 1987 their first season in the FBS. ... …Each member of the team and coaching staff is wearing a bracelet saying ‘TNT,’ meaning Today not tomorrow